We are glad you came here to learn how to do a Wayne County MI Warrant Search. We will give you the facts you need. Our goal is to help you find the right path. Let us guide you through the steps.
If you need to start your Wayne County MI Warrant Search right now, you can visit https://michiganofficialrecords.com/wayne-county-warrant-search/ This resource provides a way to check records. It can help you find information quickly if you prefer not to wait. Click the link to begin your search for Wayne County warrant details and related public records now.
An arrest warrant is a legal paper. A judge or court magistrate signs it. It allows police to arrest the person named on it. Warrants are based on probable cause. This means there is a good reason to think a crime took place. Or, it means someone did not follow a court order. Police need this paper to make a lawful arrest for many crimes. You can read more about the rules for warrants in the Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL 764.1). Warrants help make sure arrests are done right. They are issued for serious things. This can be things like a felony charge. Or it could be for not showing up to court when told. Not paying big fines can also lead to a warrant. The warrant tells police who to look for. It says what the charge is. It directs law officers to bring the person to court. It is a key part of the justice system here.
There are a few kinds of warrants in Wayne County. It helps to know the type you might look for.
Arrest Warrants: These are the most common. They are issued when police show a judge there is cause to think you did a crime. This could be a small crime (misdemeanor) or a big one (felony). The warrant lets police find and arrest you.
Bench Warrants: A judge issues these from the "bench". This often happens if you miss a court date. It can also be for not paying fines or child support. Or if you break a court order. A bench warrant orders your arrest so you can be brought to court.
Search Warrants: These are quite different. They let police search a place, like a home or car. They look for proof of a crime. We focus here on arrest and bench warrants. These are the ones that mean you might be sought by police.
The Wayne County Sheriff plays a big role with warrants. They often serve warrants and make arrests. They also run the county jails. If someone is arrested on a warrant, they may end up in a Wayne County jail. The Sheriff's Office may have some information. You can try to contact them. Their main administration address is 5301 Russell Street, Detroit, MI 48211. The general phone number is (313) 833-0864. Office hours are often standard work hours, like 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM weekdays. It is best to call or check their site for exact times. The Sheriff does have an online tool. It is mainly for finding people now in jail. You can find this inmate search on their website: https://www.sheriffconnect.com/. This might show if someone was recently arrested on a warrant. Going in person to ask about a warrant might be possible. One source suggests checking at the jail with a state ID. But, calling them might not give you a direct yes or no on a warrant. They might tell you to check court records instead. They handle many tasks, and warrant checks are complex due to privacy and safety rules.
The 3rd Circuit Court handles all felony cases in Wayne County. This means they deal with the most serious crimes. Judges here issue many felony arrest warrants. The Court Clerk keeps the records for these cases. If a felony warrant exists, the Clerk's office is a key place. There are two main locations. One is the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center at 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226 (Phone: 313-224-5261). The other is the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice at 1441 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 48226 (Phone: 313-224-2503). Their office hours are usually Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Check the court site for holiday closures. They offer an online case search called Odyssey Public Access (OPA). You can find it on their website: http://www.3rdcc.org/odyssey-public-access-(opa). OPA lets you search case info by name. But be careful! The site warns the data is not official record. It might have errors. It does not show actual documents online. It should not be used for background checks. Names can be the same, so a match might not be the right person. You can also check records in person. Public access kiosks are found in the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. You can also ask for help at the clerk counter.
Wayne County also has many district courts. These courts handle less serious crimes called misdemeanors. They also deal with traffic tickets and the first steps of felony cases. This includes issuing warrants for these types of cases. The largest district court is the 36th District Court. It serves the City of Detroit. Its address is 421 Madison St, Detroit, MI 48226. The main phone number is (313) 965-2200. You can find case information and hours on their website: https://www.36thdistrictcourt.org/. They may have their own online case search tool. Other cities in Wayne County have their own district courts (like Dearborn, Livonia, etc.). You would need to check with the specific court that covers the area where the issue might have happened. Each court has its own procedures. Some may let you search cases online. Others might require a phone call or visit. You can find a list of all trial courts on the main state site: https://www.courts.michigan.gov/.
The County Prosecutor's Office has a special Warrants Section. Its main job is to review warrant requests from police agencies. An assistant prosecutor looks at the police report and evidence. They decide if there is enough proof to charge someone with a crime. If yes, they approve the warrant request. The judge then formally issues it. This section is located at the Wayne County Criminal Justice Center, 5301 Russell Street, Suite 200, Detroit, MI 48211. While they handle warrants, this office is not typically a place for the public to search for existing warrants. Their role is more about the legal review before a warrant is issued. They mostly interact with police, victims, and witnesses during the case review process. You likely won't find a public search tool here.
To check for a warrant, you need specific details. Having the right information makes the search easier. It also helps ensure you find the correct person. You will almost always need:
Full Name: This includes the first name, middle name or initial, and last name. Be sure spelling is right. Aliases or maiden names might also be helpful if known.
Date of Birth: This is very key. It helps tell apart people with the same name.
If you search in person, you might need more:
A state issued photo ID or driver's license.
Sometimes, a last known address might help narrow a search.
Finding out there is a warrant for you can be scary. It means police have the right to arrest you at any time. This could happen during a traffic stop. Or police could come to your home or work. A warrant does not go away on its own. It stays active until it is dealt with or cleared by the court. Having a warrant can cause other issues too. It might affect your driver's license. It could show up on some background checks for jobs. It is best to deal with it head on. Do not wait to be arrested.
If you find there is a warrant for your arrest, take steps to fix it. First, find out which court issued the warrant. Was it the 3rd Circuit Court? Or a specific District Court? Contact the clerk's office of that court. Ask them about the warrant and what you need to do. Depending on the warrant type, you might have options. For a bench warrant for missed fines, paying the full amount might clear it. For missing court, you may need to schedule a new court date. The clerk can tell you the process. It is strongly advised to get legal help. A lawyer can explain your rights. They can help you figure out the best way to handle the warrant. They might be able to go to court with you or for you. You can find a lawyer through the State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service. Taking care of a warrant is key to moving forward.
Here is a short list of key places for warrant and court info:
Wayne County Sheriff's Office:
Address: 5301 Russell Street, Detroit, MI 48211
Phone: (313) 833-0864
Website: https://www.sheriffconnect.com/
Hours: General Admin likely M-F, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (Confirm online/by phone)
Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court Clerk:
Locations: 2 Woodward Ave (CAYMC) & 1441 St. Antoine (FMHJ), Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 224-5261 (CAYMC), (313) 224-2503 (FMHJ)
Website: https://www.3rdcc.org/
Hours: M-F, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
36th District Court (Detroit):
Address: 421 Madison St, Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 965-2200
Website: https://www.36thdistrictcourt.org/
Hours: Check website, generally M-F business hours.
Michigan Courts Official Website: (Find links to all state courts)
Michigan Compiled Laws: (State Laws)